Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas!!!

Check out the Awaking Album from Jesus Culture

http://www.jesusculture.com/jcawakeninglive/


Also Check Out -

http://bethelmusic.com/

Treatment Starts

Today is the first treatment day of my 3rd Cycle. I was feeling so much more positive today. Thank the Lord! There where very people at the treatment rooms today, I think a lot of people are on Holiday.

And so guess what....cant sleep....so I'm catching up on my blogging...I think I'll take a sleeping tablet, to help me get through the night. The strange thing about the treatment is that the quarterzone keeps you awake, I guess its a good time to get things done, one seems to have more energy...

I found this amazing scripture about sleeping, Psalm 127;

EXCEPT THE Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it; except the Lord keeps the city, the watchman wakes but in vain. It is vain for you to rise up early, to take rest late, to eat the bread of [anxious] toil—for He gives [blessings] to His beloved in sleep.

This scripture is so amazing, if we can realize, that unless 'the Lord builds the house' we labour in vain. Does this not apply to our every day lives, in everything we do. Don't we find ourselves laboring and toiling, without Godly purpose, without the Lord, out of our own selfishness, pride and desire for the things of the world. We get ourselves into things where perhaps He didn't want us to be, mainly because we made the decision, or did things without considering what God wants us to do.

But then where the Lord builds the house! Wow! This is where we find fulfillment and purpose in Him. Without the Lord leading us, in His will for our lives, we labour in vain, rising up early, sitting in the traffic for an hour each way. To find ourselves in anxious toil. I think this is stress! The stress of meeting our financial commitments, the stress of living beyond our means, the stress of being kept captive in the world system.

So the challenge is to get ourselves to the place, where we experience the Lords leading in our lives, out of seeking and fellowshipping with Him. In this place, our yoke's are light, we hear his voice, we understand His will for our lives. He leads us step by step, with His Word being a light unto our feet. A light that can only show the next couple of steps. Being in His will, He gives [blessings] to His beloved in sleep. Its as if being in the Lords rest, He provides for us, we don't have to toil in our own strength.

Oh Lord, how so often we miss Your will for our lives. The pull of the world is so strong, we are distracted from You. Please revive our hearts, in fellowship and in your Word that we should kindle the flame that is within us. Walk the narrow road you have called us to.

2 Tim 1:6 - That is why I would remind you to stir up (rekindle the embers of, fan the flame of, and keep burning) the [gracious] gift of God, [the inner fire] that is in you by means of the laying on of my hands [ with those of the elders at your ordination].

Am I still a Virgin Active Member?

I started go to gym for the first time in three months. I wasn't sure if my gym card still worked? 

No problem, still a member. So, I started with some cycling for half and hour, then swam for another half an hour. I used my heart -rate monitor to make sure that I was not over-doing it. 

When I was in hospital for nearly three weeks, my muscles virtually disappeared, especially my quads. on the spinning bike, I could feel my legs working over time. The pool was great, more upper body. By wednesday I was really feeling much stronger, and attended my first spinning class. Was great!

Unfortunately I woke up on monday morning with a slight cold, that seem to get worse. So I've stopped, until I'm better.

I really want to be fit during my treatment, it will help with my sleep and also with treatment. I want to be super fit, by the time I go for a stem-cell replacement, which would be around Feb/March next year. Doc tells me that I will be booked off for 2 weeks for the harvesting, and another 2 for the replacement. I'll have to start wrapping my mind around that one. 

What does the Doc Say?

Today was our followup appointment with Dr. T. Based on my last blood test at the end of my 2nd cycle, she confirm that my kappa and lambda light chains where 12 and 6, these are in the normal range of 3-19.

My M-Spike (Protein) counts where basically zero, or what they call undetectable. So as I understand it, my levels are all normal, meaning remission. The doctor was very please with my progress, as I have reacted very well to the medication. She said there are people that don't react well and their levels remain the same.

.....So the doctor says to me 'see...this is not a death sentence'...

Yvette and I are so grateful for these results, and really want to thank the Lord for his faithfulness. He truly is amazing...we see his hand in every aspect of our lives.

I was due to start with my next cycle today, but this was delayed to start on Friday, just be fore Christmas. Guess what I'm doing Friday night?.....(not sleeping thats for sure...)

The Big 'One Nine'

Today is our wedding anniversary, 19 years! Next year is going to the big one! Will start planning some thing now already. Yvette has been so amazing, she has really supported me all the way! I don't know how I would have done it! Love You!

Holiday and Ten Days Off!

On the 8th December I had my last treatment, which marked the start of my 10 days off.

We where so glad to be able to spend a couple of days at Zebula, we really had some time to relax, although it rained over the week end, so we spent time in doors. I was able to go for some long walks, really being determined to get some exercise! I was feeling the built up effects of the treatment, my feet where swollen, and could feel a nervous feeling in my feet, which is one of the side effects. And of course, my sleeping patterns where 'out of whack'.

Zebula 72

The fresh smell of the bush and clean air was great, we some times don't realise how we get used to the rat race.

The most amazing thing, we had giraffes coming right up to our house, this being a first! Amazing!

Our friends, Marc and Viv joined us for a couple of days, it was great catching up. They where on route to Stellenbosch, their new home.

Charl, Chloe, Yvette, Dominique, Vivienne, Marc

Ice Cream!

The Big 44!

Yesterday was my 44th! Thanks to everyone who called and sent messages! I really value and appreciate your friendship! I look forward to length of days, that the Word promises.

Trip to Cape Town

Another mile-stone, my first trip to the Cape after the operation and treatments. Good to see everyone at Somerset Mall!

With travel time, I've started reading "Battle Field of the Mind" by Joyce Meyer. Really amazing book, very appropriate for my walk at this stage. Our fight is spiritual, and the battle field is in the mind. I really can recommend this read!

His Word is Alive!

During the week, while waiting to attend a meeting, I was able to scan through my bible on my phone, going though Psalms, and then onto Proverbs. Then Proverbs 3! I was blown away how the Lord spoke so specifically to me, and was amazing and so encouraging that the Lord has me in mind, even though these words where written thousands of years ago.

"For the word of God is living, and active, and sharper than any two- edged sword, and piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and quick to discern the thoughts and intents of the heart" Heb 4:12

So I thought I would share what the Lord revealed to me, it may be of encouragement to some this read this entry. [Ps. I had treatment this morning, and so can't quite sleep yet.....] I enjoy the amplified bible, so most of scriptures are from this version.

Length of Days - The Lord promises us "length of days" and "old age" in his word. I want to stand on these promises for my life. So Proverbs 3:1-4 starts, My son, this talks about Him being our Father, the one who cares and loves us. Forget not my law and teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments. For length of days and years of a life [worth living] and tranquility (peace) [inward and outward and continuing through old age till death], these they shall add to you. Let not mercy and kindness and truth forsake you; bind them about your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. And so you shall find favor and good understanding in the sight of God and man.

The Lord wants us to honor and obey his teachings and commandments, as our Father. Also not forsaking mercy, kindness and truth in our lives.


Trusting in the Lord - Proverbs talks about us trusting God [with all thy heart!!], and not leaning on our own understanding! How often do we want to understand things. I have found myself researching my diagnosis, in order to gauge my prognosis, and when I do this, I limit God. He is not able to perform the miraculous, if in my heart I limit Him by my own understanding. Trusting in Him, in everything! Wow!    My own understanding comes in the way of my faith in Him, but, when I lean on, and rely, and trust in "His understanding" or promises about me, it builds faith and trust in Him.

Acknowledge Him - "In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths". This scripture reminds me of Romans 1:16, For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ for it is the power of God unto salvation to every on who believes. In everything we do, we need to know Him, recognize Him and acknowledge Him

Health to your Bones - This is the scripture, that God revealed to me, regarding my circumstance. Amazing!!! "Be not wise in your own eyes; reverently fear and worship the Lord and turn [entirely] away from evil. It shall be health to your [navel (kjv)] nerves and sinews, and marrow [and moistening] to your bones" Prov 3:7-8. 

What an amazing scripture, God cares about my bone marrow. [This is where this cancer occurs, in my blood and bone marrow]. Not being wise in my own understanding and the reverent fear and worship of the Lord, including the turning away from evil, shall be health to my marrow and my bones. Wow!

My Prayer - Thank you Lord that you care for me, that you loved me so much that you would through your Word, think of me. Lord you knew me before I was conceived in the womb, and you set out your plans for my life. You know me better than I know myself. And You left me a promise in your word, that I would stumble on, in my time of need. Thank you!

There is some much more in Prov 3, to be continued ...........